2005 AUTO EMISSIONS DOWN; NISSAN WORST, TOYOTA BEST

Toyota took the gamble on the hybrid electric Prius and won the jackpot. Who will take the next step and bring on the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle?

Nissan vehicles put out more carbon, study finds; Toyota reduces its emissions rate
August 31, 2007 (Bloomberg News via Detroit Free Press)
and
Carbon From Cars Drops
September 3, 2007 (Reuters via Environmental News Network)

WHO
Nissan Motor Co. (spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan), Toyota Motor Corp., DaimlerChrysler AG, Honda Motor Co., Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., Environmental Defense (John DeCicco)

Reasons for quitting. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from US new cars/light trucks dropped 3% in 2005. Emissions of all vehicles, which had risen by 2%/year over the long period studied, rose only 0.4% in 2005. Of the 6 major US car sellers, over the studied decade and a half, Nissan’s vehicle emissions rose the most, according to an Environmental Defense study. All the major sellers’ emissions rose over the studied period except Toyota, which had a significant decrease in vehicle emissions.

WHEN
The study covered the 1990-2005 15-year period.

WHERE
- The study covered the 6 largest US car sellers.
- Environmental Defense is based in Washington, D.C.

WHY
- Average lifetime emissions, 1990 thru 2005: Nissan – up 9.2%, DaimlerChrysler – up 4.8%, Honda – up 4.4%, Ford – up 4.3%, GM – up 3%
- Toyota – down 3%
- Cars and light trucks: 20% of US greenhouse gas emissions
- Toyota’s success with its hybrid electric Prius and its long-term commitment to high mileage vehicles accounts for its exceptional record.
- GM’s flex-fuel vehicles have something to do with its placing.
- Pick-ups, minivans and SUVs have the worst emissions records.

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QUOTES
- DeCiccio, lead author of the emissions study: "Market shifts to date fall far short of what would be needed to truly address global warming…New policies will be needed to significantly limit automobile carbon burdens."
- Ginivan, Nissan: "Since the end of this report in 2005, we have added the subcompact Nissan Versa, Altima Hybrid and flex-fuel-capable trucks…[Nissan] has committed to a comprehensive plan to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions and to improve fuel economy."